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Special Theory of Relativity Basis of Modern Physics

The document provides an overview of the key concepts and principles of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, including frames of reference, the Michelson-Morley experiment, Lorentz transformations, time dilation and length contraction, mass-energy equivalence, and more. Special Relativity established that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames and that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant, revolutionizing our understanding of space, time, matter, and energy. The document discusses the background and development of Special Relativity as the foundation of modern physics.

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Muhammad Noman Hameed
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43 views

Special Theory of Relativity Basis of Modern Physics

The document provides an overview of the key concepts and principles of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, including frames of reference, the Michelson-Morley experiment, Lorentz transformations, time dilation and length contraction, mass-energy equivalence, and more. Special Relativity established that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames and that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant, revolutionizing our understanding of space, time, matter, and energy. The document discusses the background and development of Special Relativity as the foundation of modern physics.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Noman Hameed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Special Theory of Relativity

basis of Modern Physics


Syllabus Content
 Relativity I
-Relative motion and Frame of Reference
-Relative Motion in One Dimension
-Relative Motion in Two Dimensions
-The Experimental Basis of Relativity
-Michelson-Morley Experiment
-Einstein’s Postulates
-The Lorentz Transformation
-Calibrating the Space-time Axes
-Time Dilation and Length Contraction
-The Doppler Effect
-Transverse Doppler Effect
-The Twin Paradox and Other Surprises
-The Case of the Identically Accelerated Twins
-Superluminal Speeds 51
 Relativity II
-Relativistic Momentum
-Relativistic Energy
-Another Surprise
-Mass/Energy Conversion and Binding Energy
-Invariant Mass
-General Relativity
-Deflection of Light in a Gravitational Field
-Gravitational Redshift
-A Key foundation of the Modern Physics is Special Relativity SR.

-Motion at constant velocity is a “special case” of motion—


namely, motion for which the acceleration is zero. Hence
Einstein’s first theory of relativity has come to be known as
special relativity
Background of SR
 In the book of natural philosophy (i.e., physics) of explanations deduced from
assumptions rather than experimentation.

 For example, it was a fundamental assumption that every substance had a


“natural place” in the universe; motion then resulted when a substance was
trying to reach its natural place.

 Time was given a similar absolute meaning, as moving from some instant in the
past (the creation of the universe) toward some end goal in the future, its
natural place.

 The laws of physics discovered on Earth could apply equally well with any point
taken as the center—that is, the same equations would be obtained regardless
of the origin of coordinates. This invariance of the equations that express the
laws of physics is what we mean by the term relativity.

 Thus, most the relative frames may be equivalent (or may be not)—there is no
special or favored frame relative to which absolute measurements of space and
time could be made.
 A theory that transform our understanding of space and
time and their interaction, matter energy and their
interaction.
 The essence of the theory is that
 ‘clocks in motion’ tick off time at slower rate, and objects
in motion are contracted along their direction of motion.
 A set individual clocks that are ‘synchronized relative to
each other’, If someone is moving relative to that set of
clocks would say they are not synchronized relative to each
other.
 The exploration of these fascinating ideas (specially in
dynamics) will end with perhaps the most famous
equation in physics: Einstein’s E = mc2.
 Poem.... Sadyaan beet gaye, Zamana beet gaya...
Teri rah takte takte , afghani waar jeet gaya...
 Q. If there is such an unexpected nature of the reality
that we have missed through our every day
experience. Why have we missed it or why aren’t we
aware of SR right in our bones.

 Answer, if we look at the huge range of the scales of


the universe that constituent reality. We human have
access of very tiny part of that totality.
Question/Answers

 If we could routinely travel near the speed of light,


would all of special relativity be intuitive?
 With today's technology, how close to the speed of
light can we travel?
 Why can't we just push on an object to increase its
speed up to or even beyond the speed of light?
 You suggested a reason why something can’t be sped
up to or beyond light speed, but what about an object
that always has speed greater than that of light?
Lighter Note

 Although many of the results derived in this


course may run counter to your intuition, the
theory is in solid agreement with experimental
observations.

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